Method of forming vehicle wheel rims and the like



Jan. 2, 1940. F H E JEUNE 2,185,347

Patented Jan. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF FORMING VEHICLE WHEEL Rill/IS AND THE LIKE Application October 28, 1935, Serial No. 47,181

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a method of forming an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour and refers more particularly to an improved method of forming vehicle wheel 5 rims of the drop-center type.

One of the principal objects of the present invention consists in the provision of a method of the character set forth embodying a fewer number of operations than methods employed in the past to. form vehicle wheel rims of the general contour previously set forth, rendering it possible to not only employ simpler apparatus for carrying out the method, but, at the same time offering the possibility of increasing the production of vehicle wheel rims or similar articles and reducing the cost of the latter.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention consists in the provision of a method of the character set forth rendering it possible to form a relatively small rdiametered annulus of heavy gage stock to a predetermined irregular cross sectional contour.

A further feature of the present invention which is largely responsible for imparting the foregoing advantages to my improved method consists in curling the opposite sides of the annular blank to impart a channel-shaped cross sectional contour to the blank prior to rolling the `latter to its nal desired shape.

The foregoing, as well as other objects of the present invention, will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through a rolling machine illustrating one of the steps of my improved method; and

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary views showing other steps of the method about to be described.

Although various different types of apparatus may be successfully employed in carrying out the several steps of my improved method about to be described, nevertheless, I have found that apparatus of the character illustrated in my copending application, Serial No. 47,180, filed October 28, 1935, is particularly suitable for manufacturing vehicle wheel rims of the drop-center type in accordance with the present method. In general, the apparatus comprises a male roll I secured to a rotatable spindle I I and mounted for movement toward and away from a female roll I2. The cooperating peripheral or working surfaces of both rolls correspond in shape to the cross sectional contour of the rim shown in Figure 3, and the female roll I2 comprises two complementary sections I3 and I4. Each of these sections has the collar or ring I3 which extends axially over or overhangs the peripheral or working surface and which is engageable with the adjacent edge of the blank and which is adapted to form a stop for positioning the blank. The roll section I3 is secured to a rotatable spindle I5, while the roll section I4 is secured to an aligned rotatable spindle I6, and both spindles are mounted for movement toward and away from each other in the direction of their axes. Briefly, the arrangement is such as to permit the roll sections to be simultaneously moved in directions away from each other from the position of the same shown in Figure 3, wherein they cooperate to form the roll I2 to a position wherein they are separated a sufficient distance to permit the rim blank A to be inserted therebetween.

It has previously been stated that the working surfaces of the forming rolls I0 and I2 correspond .in shape to the cross sectional contour of the rim shown in Figure 3. This particular contour is not exactly the same as the cross sec-` tional contour of the completed rim shown in Figure 5 and, accordingly, the apparatus embodies a second set of formingI rolls I6 having the working faces thereof shaped to correspond exactly to the desired cross sectional contour of the completed rim. With the exception of the cross sectional contour of the working faces of the roll I6', the latter are identical to the forming rolls previously described.

With the foregoing in mind, reference will now be made to my improved method of forming vehicle wheel rims of the cross sectional contour shown in Figure 5. The rst step in this method consists in introducing an annulus or rim blank A between the two complementary sections of the female roll when the latter are in their outermost positions with respect to each other. The two aforesaid sections of the female roll are then caused to move toward each other to the position thereof shown in Figure 1, wherein the portions of the roll sections corresponding substantially to the annular tire bead engaging seats of the rim telescope within opposite ends of the blank to support the latter. Upon continued movement of the roll sections towards each other the latter act in much the same manner as a die to curl the opposite ends of the blank outwardly in the manner clearly shown in Figure 2, the blank being positioned relative to the roll sections by the collars or rings upon the roll sections engaging the opposite edges of the blank. During the aforesaid operation of the roll sections, the latter may, or may not, be rotated and, in the event they are not rotated, the same are revolved upon' completion of the step illustrated by Figure 2. As the complementary female roll sections continue to move toward each other, the rotatable male roll I0 is moved toward the axis of the roll sections so as to cooperate therewith in forming the blank to the cross sectional contour shown in Figure 3. With the above arrangement, it will be seen that as the blank is rolled to the cross sectional contour shown in Figure 3, an axial pressure is simultaneously exerted upon opposite sides of the blank or upon the blank at Opposite sides of its axis by the female roll sections, and this is desirable in that it not only provides for reducing the number of rolling operations, but, at the same time, renders it possible to form a small diametered rim from relatively heavy gage stock.

Upon completion of the rolling operation noted in Figure 3, the complementary female roll sections are separated and the male roll is moved in a direction away from the sections so as to permit ejecting the rim blank from the machine and conveying the same to a position between the female roll sections shown in Figure 4. The peripheral surface of the latter roll sections, when in engagement with each other, and the cooperating peripheral surface of the male roll correspond in shape to the desired contour of the rim and cooperate with each other to perform the iinal rolling operation. After the rim blank has been positioned between the female rolls shown in Figure 4, the latter are moved toward each other into supporting engagement with the rim blank and the male roll is moved toward the rim blank in timed relation to the movement of the female roll sections. Upon completion of the latter operation, the rolls are in the position thereof shown in Figure 4, and upon continued movement of the female roll sections toward each other, the male roll section is simultaneously moved toward the axis of rotation of the female roll resulting in the application of a combined rolling and pressing action upon the rim blank until the rolls assume the position thereof shown in Figure 5. During the aforesaid operation, the rim blank assumes its nal cross sectional contour and is ejected from the apparatus after the male roll and female roll sections have been separated.

Thus, from the foregoing it will be observed that I have provided a method of forming vehicule wheel rims of the drop-center type composed of a relatively few steps and capable of lbeing formed in a simple apparatus with the minimum amount of handling. It will also be aparent that due to the combined radial and axial pressures exerted upon the blank during the rolling operation, a relatively deep channeled rim of small diameter may be effectively fashioned.

Although in describing the present invention particular stress has been ,placed upon the juse.

of my improved method for forming vehicle wheel rims of the drop-center type, nevertheless, it will be apparent that the several steps of this method are equally applicable in forming an annulils to various different cross sectional contours and, therefore, this invention should not be considered as limited to forming rims of any specific cross sectional contour.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. Those steps in the method of manufacturing annular members having a predetermined cross sectional contour which consist in introducing an annular blank between a pair of forming roll sections cooperating in their innermost position to form a. continuous contoured surface, fianging the opposite ends of the blank by relatively moving the roll sections toward each other into engagement with the ends of the blank, and rolling the blank upon continued relative movement of the roll sections toward each other by exerting a radial rolling pressure on the blank while the latter is supported on the forming roll sections.

2. Those steps inthe method of manufacturing annular members having a predetermined cross sectional contour which consist in introducing an FRANK H. LE JEUNE. 

